Abuja, July 15: Nigeria’s main rebel group, which has waged an “oil war” against the government, declares a 60-day ceasefire following the release of its leader.
The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) said the truce, set to come into effect from Wednesday, was in response to the freeing of rebel leader Henry Okah.
The 45-year-old Okah — who was arrested in September 2007 for arms trafficking and treason — was freed Monday just hours the MEND set fire to an oil depot and loading tankers in Lagoc, the country’s economic center, the Associated Press reported.
The attack marked the group’s first attack outside the usual area of operations in the Niger Delta. Five people were killed in the attack.
The rebel chief said he regarded the attack as a signal to his freedom.
The notorious group said the ceasefire period would hopefully “create an enabling environment for progressive dialogue” with the government.
The release of Okah has been one of MEND’s key demands since launching its campaign of violence against the oil sector in early 2006.
During the last three years, the Niger Delta fighters, who eye a greater share of the country’s fossil fuel riches, have admitted to the bombings of oil pipelines and abductions of foreign workers, reducing Nigeria’s oil production by one-fifth.
—–Agencies